IT WAS VERY obvious that British & Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland held off naming his squad until after the Heineken and Amlin Cup semi-finals.
The 30 April announcement – as opposed to 21 April 2009 before the South Africa tour [Heineken semis were on 2 May] – gives the likes of Paul O’Connell, Dan Lydiate and the likes a chance to come back and prove themselves.
The bulk of the squad to take on Australia will be Welsh but people need to get it out of their head that the decisions are made purely on international matches. It is very much a case of who Gatland and his coaching staff fancy. When it comes to wildcard selections, Ian Madigan is one of the form outhalves in Europe.
This may be a tour too soon for him but his name should be in the discussion circles when it comes to selection.
Apart from the Welsh guys, who bounced back well from that Ireland defeat to win the Six Nations, very few players have put their hands up and guaranteed themselves a spot. There will be a few wildcards, definitely. If you are in form right now, you have a chance.
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It makes the next few weeks, and this Munster versus Leinster match tomorrow, crucial.
POC on the plane
Paul O’Connell is going on the Lions Tour, no doubt about it.
People are getting carried away, saying he should be captain but he should be allowed to focus on his fitness. He is a natural leader, regardless, and we don’t need a title to tell us that.
I’m sure we will see Brian O’Driscoll tearing into this game with Munster at Thomond Park. He will not have enjoyed sitting it out, suspended, over the past few weeks.
Rob Kearney fielded very well and made some good carries against Wasps last weekend. I think he will be on the plane to Down Under but, at the moment, not in the starting XV. The beauty of the Lions Tour, though, is that the selection battle starts all over again once you land.
Kearney was only supposed to play a supporting role in South Africa but started each Test and was one of the stars.
*Shane Byrne’s publication, Club Rugby Magazine is available monthly in the Irish Independent. Follow the magazine, and all the latest rugby news, on Twitter @ClubRugby1
Why write a column about something everyone knows? How about a column on if Madigan/Zebo will be on the plane and if there is a chance of Bowe pulling it out of the bag? How about a column on Madigan/Sexton choice for Leinster til the end of the season?
Fair point Heathen. Personally I would love to see both Madigan and Zebo on the plane Madigan might just edge it over Zebo only on the basis that there is plenty of cover for the wings and Madigan can play more than just the out half position (10, 12 & 15 possibly 13 if required). As for the Madigan/Sexton argument I would like to see Madigan get the majority of starts, he has proved quite capable and he is almost definitely the starting 10 after sexton is gone.
Madigan will not be on the plane. He’s played approx. 10 minutes of international rugby. The 3 out halves will be Farrell, Sexton & Wilkinson. After that will be Biggar, the Scottish players whose name escapes me at the moment but can play 9 & 10.
Just because kidney didn’t rate Madigan doesn’t mean gatland doesnt.
The man got sacked for the likes picking Jackson at 10 rather than the 3 other Outhalfs he could have.
Madigan has something Farrell and the rest don’t have and that’s the ability to start an attack out of nothing. Sexton number one and then it’s not implausible that Madigan goes. Farrell, Wilkinson and Biggar are all the same, solid but boring. Madigan has more magic in his left toe than those three put together. I don’t think he’ll go but will certainly be on standby, probably be out there by the end of the tour.
Haven’t heard that Konrad, that would rule out a lot of welsh players too, will the Lions tour not have the same call up rights as international teams?
@Pat Guckian. It’s no ENTIRELY about minutes I international rugby racked up this season. No-one’s talking about bring ROG and he played some of the 6Ns. Wilkinson hasn’t played test rugby in years but after his performances for Toulon have put him in the frame. Madigan perhaps played only 10mins of international, but he probably could have started the entire 6Ns and done well.
I think Paul O Connell will be on the plane and is a natural leader . I do think his games now need to be managed . Half a game against Leinster on Saturday and the same goes for Brian O Driscoll
I am a Leinster fan but I do think Paul O Connell is the best man to lead the team down under. Wales are going to have a big say in the selection of the Capt. Sorry Paul I won’t be shouting for you this Saturday.
i dont think zebo is good enough to play in a test for the lions. if he does get picked it wil only be as a dirt tracker. Surely the one test spot wil go to ashton, i guess on the right wing there wil be a bit more competition, but i cant see zebo playing in a test.
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I think Paul O Connell will decide who gets on the plane.
Because POC will b piloting the plane too..
Can’t disagree with anything there !
Ya, possible captain too. Has a chance to equal Willie johns achievements.
Wait for next weeks report Shane thinks the lions will wear a red jersey.
Fingers crossed that Shane will be writing to say they have decided not to bother wearing jerseys!!
It’s very warm out in Australia… so there’ll be no need for their tracksuit tops.
Anto – you have just supplied Shane with next weeks update now. Next weeks Headline: Australia will be hot during the Lions tour
Yeah great column Shane. Not bad at all. All points accurate and honest.
All points are as obvious as the sun in the sky. I’d have to say that whatever paper this was printed on was a complete waste of a tree.
Why don’t u write a column so?
Why write a column about something everyone knows? How about a column on if Madigan/Zebo will be on the plane and if there is a chance of Bowe pulling it out of the bag? How about a column on Madigan/Sexton choice for Leinster til the end of the season?
Fair point Heathen. Personally I would love to see both Madigan and Zebo on the plane Madigan might just edge it over Zebo only on the basis that there is plenty of cover for the wings and Madigan can play more than just the out half position (10, 12 & 15 possibly 13 if required). As for the Madigan/Sexton argument I would like to see Madigan get the majority of starts, he has proved quite capable and he is almost definitely the starting 10 after sexton is gone.
I don’t really have an opinion as not Leinster but would the majority of Leinster fans now like to see Madigan start most matches now?
Madigan will not be on the plane. He’s played approx. 10 minutes of international rugby. The 3 out halves will be Farrell, Sexton & Wilkinson. After that will be Biggar, the Scottish players whose name escapes me at the moment but can play 9 & 10.
Just because kidney didn’t rate Madigan doesn’t mean gatland doesnt.
The man got sacked for the likes picking Jackson at 10 rather than the 3 other Outhalfs he could have.
Madigan has something Farrell and the rest don’t have and that’s the ability to start an attack out of nothing. Sexton number one and then it’s not implausible that Madigan goes. Farrell, Wilkinson and Biggar are all the same, solid but boring. Madigan has more magic in his left toe than those three put together. I don’t think he’ll go but will certainly be on standby, probably be out there by the end of the tour.
Think the top 14 are refusing to release their players so that would rule Wilkinson out….
Gucks, what about ballinrobe, will they win the Connacht league next year?
I’ve said for last 2 years Madigan is a better no 10 than Sexton – are Lonster fans agreeing now just cos sexton has fcuked off to France ?
Haven’t heard that Konrad, that would rule out a lot of welsh players too, will the Lions tour not have the same call up rights as international teams?
The fact that you have been saying something for 2 years Elrat, and yet nobody listens to you, should be of more concern to you.
I see the name Elrat and just skip the rest!
Truth hurts Ladies !
Surprise Elrat: no one listens to you
@Pat Guckian. It’s no ENTIRELY about minutes I international rugby racked up this season. No-one’s talking about bring ROG and he played some of the 6Ns. Wilkinson hasn’t played test rugby in years but after his performances for Toulon have put him in the frame. Madigan perhaps played only 10mins of international, but he probably could have started the entire 6Ns and done well.
I love it. That lad elrat is a muppet who hides behind his panda.
Is this the Mayo boy who wouldn’t know if a rugby ball was pumped or stuffed ? Stick to what you know cos it certainly isn’t rugby !
I think Paul O Connell will be on the plane and is a natural leader . I do think his games now need to be managed . Half a game against Leinster on Saturday and the same goes for Brian O Driscoll
I am a Leinster fan but I do think Paul O Connell is the best man to lead the team down under. Wales are going to have a big say in the selection of the Capt. Sorry Paul I won’t be shouting for you this Saturday.
Finally some sense comes out of Byrnes mouth.
i dont think zebo is good enough to play in a test for the lions. if he does get picked it wil only be as a dirt tracker. Surely the one test spot wil go to ashton, i guess on the right wing there wil be a bit more competition, but i cant see zebo playing in a test.
Jaysus – Ashton – the sisters of mercy would have better defence than him. Bet he won’t try his “dives” if Gatland decides to take him!!!
someone needs to tell A that rugby is not football
i agree with you, but he does score tries and plenty of them.
Ahston’s atitude will most likely find him in dirt tracker matches, Gatland will use Zebo for the test matches.
Much deserved
The real question is will Kearney be on the plane? Halfpenny and Hogg were streets ahead of him.
Why does Tom Visser never get a mention?
Wade in Wasps is a much better player than Zebo.
Zebo totally overrated.